the complete

Kiteboarding Training Guide

from KiteboardingExercises.com
Version 3.2 Oct. 2013
The Complete Kiteboarding Training Guide

Version 3, Oct. 2013, KBX 2012

Jrgensen, Denmark
Author: Lars Rousing-Jrgensen,

Website: http://www.KiteboardingExercises.com
www.KiteboardingExercises.com

E-mail:
mail: info@kiteboardingexercises.com

All rights are reserved for www.KiteboardingExercises.com

Feel free to share the download link with your friends. Copying printed versions is not allowed!

2
1. About www.KiteboardingExercises.com (KBX) ........................................................................ 4
2. Kiteboarding Training ............................................................................................................. 5
2.1. Plan your training ........................................................................................................................ 5

3. The KBX training programs ..................................................................................................... 6

3.0.1. Find the Right Program for You ........................................................................................................................ 6
3.0.2. How to Execute the Programs.......................................................................................................................... 6
3.0.3. How to do variations ........................................................................................................................................ 6

3.1. Basic Kiteboarding Training Program ............................................................................................ 7

3.2. Home training Program ................................................................................................................ 8
3.3. Freeride Kiteboarding Training Program ....................................................................................... 9
3.4. Unhooked Kiteboarding Training Program .................................................................................. 10
3.5. Pro Kiteboarding Training Program............................................................................................. 11
3.6. Wave Riding Kiteboarding Training Program ............................................................................... 12
3.7. Kiteboarding Crossfit Training Program ...................................................................................... 13
3.8. Kiteboarding Outdoor Program .................................................................................................. 14
3.9. KiteboardingExercises.com Workout Schedule ......................................................................... 15

4. Recovery and Timing of sessions (gym and kite) .................................................................... 16

4.1. Supercompensation ................................................................................................................... 16
4.3. General physical shape matters.................................................................................................. 18

5. Kiteboarding Stretching Program.......................................................................................... 19

5.1. Stretching Techniques ................................................................................................................ 21
5.1.1. Hip flexor (Ilio-Psoas) ..................................................................................................................................... 21
5.1.2. Glute Stretch (Gluteus) .................................................................................................................................. 21
5.1.3. Neck stretches ................................................................................................................................................ 22

6. Nutrition Guide..................................................................................................................... 23
6.1. Energy for the next session or during a session ........................................................................... 23
6.2. Recovery from a session (or a workout) ...................................................................................... 24
6.3. Energy intake in general ............................................................................................................. 24
6.4. Well balanced diet for kiteboarders............................................................................................ 24

7. Contact, Facebook, Youtube, Twitter .................................................................................... 25

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1. About www.KiteboardingExercises.com
KiteboardingExercises.com (KBX)

KiteboardingExercises.com - or just KBX - a web site dedicated to make you a better kitesurfer. And it's not
just for pros. Beginner, waveriding, course racing, wakeskate, wakestyle, snowkiting, freeriders, newschool
and oldschool freestyle. All will be better
better kitesurfers with the right training. This site will teach you how to
become a stronger and more powerful kiteboarder at your level. This is the site, you can't live without if
you want to progress.

KBX brings this guide as supplement to the web site and

and the KBX iPhone app, so you have something to
bring with you, when youre doing your exercises.

On KiteboardingExercises.com you'll also find:

Instructional videos with exercises especially for kiteboarding
Check out the pro's fitness programs
Forum where you can ask about training, talk to other kiteboarders etc
Community where you can hook up, follow, talk directly to other
other users
Create your own fitness program for
fo kitesurfing
Technique section for exercises
exercise and basic info for preventing injuries
Learn about injuries
Your own workout/kite session blog to help you progress in your training
Nutrition and kiteboarding
Pro interviews
And of course our almost monthly newsletter (6-7(6 7 times a year) and more...

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2. Kiteboarding Training

Kiteboarding is a very demanding sport, which requires great core strength, balance, coordination, stability
and power. All training programs on KBX contains (hard)core training combined with specific functional
kiteboard training, which gives great results for all kiteboarders on all levels in matters of performing and
preventing injuries.

Here is how you can create your own personal strength

training program for kitesurfing that fits your level of riding and
your style. And of course where you want to go next.

2.1. Plan your training

I've listed the most important things, you should think about,
when planning your training along with your kiteboard sessions.

1. You should at least have 1 day of rest in between workouts and sessions. Sometimes you even need
2-3 days after a really hard workout. Ex; you work out Monday and rest Tuesday. Wednesday you
might be ready for working out again or go kiteboarding. Maybe you're not ready until Thursday
because of DOMS (soreness). If you do plyometric training, you should rest for 2 days.

2. Follow the "data" on the downloaded exercise program. Most exercises is 3-4 sets with about 10
repetition max (RM). Meaning you should use a weight that only allows you to do the exercises 10
times before exhaustion or technical failure.

3. Once every 4-6 weeks you should have 5-7 days of total rest! This way you'll let your body recover
100%. Often you'll notice that these resting days will make you quite a lot stronger in some
exercises. And you'll minimize the risk of tendonitis in your quads, knee injuries, elbow and
shoulder injuries. Most injuries (especially for pros, I think) in kiteboarding happens because
kiteboarders dont take the time to let their body recover completely.

4. Listen to your body. Soreness (DOMS) or direct pain requires rest. If the pain doesn't go away, you
should seek professional help. You can read about different injuries on the KBX web site.

5. If you break the "rules" and go kiting 3-4 days in a row, you should also rest (also from training!) for
at least 1-2 days afterwards. Often this will happen naturally, when the wind comes and goes. But
otherwise you'll risk getting injured. So no training the day after kiteboarding!

6. If you're in doubt, always ask a fitness professional. You can use the forum on KBX or bring this
guide to your fitness pro.

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3. The KBX training programs
All programs are designed to make you a better kiteboarder and lower risk of injury through core strength,
raw power, coordination, balance, stability and agility.

3.0.1. Find the Right Program for You

You can chose one of the programs I've made for
you, or you can make one on your own by using the
exercises, I've put under the video section on KBX.

The easiest thing to do is using my programs. But

I've been contacted by a lot users, who says, that
their gym was missing some equipment and they
couldn't do all the exercises. If you experience the same problem, you can switch some of the exercises
with those from the video section or the other programs that work with similar muscle groups.

You can create your own personal program from the exercises in the video section on
www.KiteboardingExercises.com. You should choose 6-10 (depending on your current condition and
exercise choice with tough exercises 6 can be enough even for a trained athlete) exercises that fits your
goal and your riding style. Ex. if you want to get faster rotations to make that double sbend or just make
your sbends more stylish, choose an exercise from "Rotational Force Exercise" like the Roll Around. If you
want greater pop, choose an exercise from "Power in pop, cutbacks, VMG" category.

3.0.2. How to Execute the Programs

A pretty basic way to execute the programs would be to do 3-4 sets of 6-12 repetitions of each exercise.
But there are a lot of other ways to do it as well.

3.0.3. How to do variations

Circuit training - take 2 exercises and do each exercises for 20-30 seconds with the same time for
rest in between (check out the crossfit program for an example). Then just shift forth and back 3-4
times. This is great for building up muscle power and cardio at the same time. This is probably most
like the physiology of kiteboarding comapared more traditional strength training.

Do fewer reps for building up great power. Do 5-6 sets and just 5-6 reps in each exercise. Take a 2
minute break in between sets.

For endurance do 15-20 reps in each exercise and do 3-4 sets of each. Take a 30-45 seconds break
in between sets.

You can also do variations both on sets, reps, breaks, and exercises. It's important to do variations to keep
making your body stronger and better. If possible do small variations each time or each week for maximum
progression. Never do the same exercises for more than 2-3 months at a time.

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3.1. Basic Kiteboarding Training Program
This program is designed to strengthen the core and make you stronger and more athletic, so that you can
perform better on the water. Its a great workout program
program for course racing, beginners and speed racing.
Basically kiteboarders that dont need explosive movements to pull of tricks. Watch the exercises in our
video section on www.KiteboardingExercises.com.

Do a 10min warm up before you begin.

Exercise Illustration Data Description

Grab the cable handle like a bar. Lean
back on one leg and stretch the other.
Lean Back 3 sets of 10-15 Keep all your weight on your heel. Now
go as far down as you can and come back
Cable Pistol repetitions on up by pushing through your heels. Keep a
Squat each leg straight back all the way through.
through You can
also use a kettle bell like the picture
shows.

Stand with a straight back sideways to

3 sets of 10-15 the cable. Bend your knees as if, youre
Standing Row,
repetitions on on a kiteboard. Pull the handle to your
Sideways torso and try to press the shoulder blades
each side
together.

Stand with in a split position with your

Cable Chest 3 sets of 10-15 legs and keep your back straight. Bend
Press repetitions over and press the cables in front of you
and cross your arms

Lie on you back with your knees bend.

Walking Hip 3 sets of 10-20 Raise your hips (tighten your glute) and
Raises repetitions keeps this position. Now walk as far as
you can and come back. Thats one rep.

3 sets of 30-60 The most important thing in this exercise

Plank is to tighten your glute and your abs.
seconds

3 sets of 30-60 Keep your hips up and keep a straight

back. Your legs should be straight as well.
Side Plank seconds on If you have problems with this exercise,
each side try to bend the leg

Be aware that the illustration shows the basic exercise. The description will tell you how a kiteboarder should do it.

For variation or progression you could add roll out, one arm chest press and Woodchop.
Woodchop

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3.2. Home training Program

This training program is for those kiteboarders,

kiteboarders, who doesnt like going to the gym and wants to do it at
home instead. With some small equipment and creativity you can do serious and great training sessions at
home.

Exercise Illustration Data Description

This is all about balance and power. Jump
Speedskating 4 sets until as far as you can from one leg to another
Jumps exhaustion while you through the weight in the same
direction. Jump with your kiteboard.

Jump as explosively as you can on to the

box/bench/object. Start with your side to
4 sets until
3D box jump the box and twist 90 degrees in the air to
exhaustion face the box. Focus on jumping though
your heels.

Make sure you dont rotate.

rotate Just tighten
Renegade 4 sets until your whole body. For variation you can
Rows exhaustion do sit ups in between. Pull arm up and
then stretch out to the side.

Instead of a medicine ball you can use a

Step Over 4 sets until kite bag or something in that size. Do
Push Up exhaustion push up as explosively as you can. Its
good to get some airtime.

Tighten your core. Hold your kiteboard or

something heavier in front of you, and
4 sets until
Woodchop swing it from your knees up over your
exhaustion head on the other side. Keep your back
straight all through the exercise.

Sit on your knees and keep your hip

totally straight. Really tighten your abs
Roll Out 4 sets until
and your glute to avoid back pain. If you
(walk out) exhaustion dont a roller or a skateboard, then
t just
walk with your hands as far as possible.

Straighten your entire body and hold the

disc in front of you. Roll around as fast as
4 sets until
Roll Around you can. Just one or two times and then
exhaustion roll to the other side. Initiate by looking
over your shoulder.

Hold your kiteboard out in front of you.

Standing 4 sets until
Twist as fast as you can without using full
Russian Twist exhaustion ROM of your spine. Keep looking forward.

Check out detailed information on how to do the exercises on www.KiteboardingExercises.com

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3.3. Freeride Kiteboarding Training Program
This is a more advanced training program that will make you jump higher and rotate faster. Its also
designed to strengthen the core and make you stronger and more athletic, so that you can perform better
on the water. Its a great workout program hooked in wave, freestyle or freeride riding.

Exercise Illustration Data Description

Make sure you land and jump with your
Length Box 5 sets of 4 entire foot. Jump onto 1-2
1 boxs and after
Jumps repetitions landing from the last box, jump as far as
you can.

Walking 3 sets of 8-10 Keep your weight on your heels at all

times. Twist to the same side, as your
Lunges with reps on each front leg and hold the weight with your
Twist leg arms stretched.

Stand with a straight back sideways to

3 sets of 8-10 the cable. Bend your knees as if, youre
Standing
reps on each on a kiteboard. Pull the handle to your
Sideways Row torso and try to press the shoulder blades
side
together.

Stand with in a split position with your

Cable Chest 3 sets of 8-10 legs and keep your back straight. Bend
Press reps over and press the cables in front of you
and cross your arms

Stand sideways to the cable and put your

backhand on top. Keep your back
3 sets of 8-10 straight and tighten your core.
Woodchop
reps
For kitesurfing its best to pull down to
your hip with explosive movements
Do this exercise slowly and straighten
Hyper your arm on the way up. Look after your
3 sets of 10-15
Extension One arm, as you come up. When your body is
reps extended, tighten your glutes as much as
Arm Back Fly
you can.

Hang with your arms and your hip bend

Hanging 90 degrees. Now just pull your knees
3 sets of 8-10 towards your shoulder.
Reverse
reps
Crunch You can also do this exercise with twists
for variations.
Be aware that the illustration shows the basic exercise. The description will tell you how a kiteboarder should do it.

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3.4. Unhooked Kiteboarding Training Program
This is a more advanced training program for newschool kiteboarders. It will make you jump higher, rotate
faster and make you handle more power in passes. Its also designed to strengthen the core and make youy
stronger and more athletic, so that you can perform better on the water in general. Its a great workout
program unhooked wave, freestyle or freeride riding.

Exercise Illustration Data Description

This is all about balance and power. Jump
Speedskating 3 sets of 8-10 as far as you can from one leg to another
Jumps reps while you through the weight in the same
direction. Use the weight to jump.

Through the KB between your legs, and

Kettle Bell 3 sets as many shoot it up again, by extending you hip in
Swings as you can a powerful move. Dont use your
shoulders

Make sure you dont rotate.

rotate Just tighten
Renegade 3 sets of 8-10
your whole body. For variation you can
Rows reps do sit ups in between.

One Arm Make sure you keep your hip up and

3 sets of 8-10
Chest Press on dont rotate. Use your entire body to
reps withstand the rotation.
Ball

Get your hips all the up to your hands.

3 sets as many Dont straighten your arms all the way.
Half Pass This will make it too hard. Same thing on
as you can
the water. Just bend your arms a little bit.

Sit on your knees and keep your hip

3 sets as many totally straight. Really tighten your abs
Roll Out and your glute to avoid back pain. Do roll
as you can
out with, 2 dumbbells, a bar, a roller etc.

Straighten your entire body and hold the

disc in front of you. Roll around as fast as
3 sets of 10
Roll Around you can. Just one or two times and then
reps, fast roll to the other side. Initiate by looking
over your shoulder.

Pass the bar, just before it feels

3 sets as many
Cable Pass weightless. This is all about power and
as you can timing. Just like a pass on the water.

Be aware that the illustration shows the basic exercise. The description will tell you how a kiteboarder should do it.

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3.5. Pro Kiteboarding Training Program

This is the ultimate advanced training program for pro kiteboarders or hardcore freestylers, wakestylers
and strapless unhooked waveriders. Every exercise is meant to give you power, coordination and stability in
every aspect
pect of Kiteboarding. Pop, rotations, landings handle passes. You will become the most fit
kiteboarder on the water. Be cautioned, this fitness program includes some of the most extreme exercises.

Exercise Illustration Data Description

Through the KB between your legs, and
Kettle Bell 3 sets as many shoot it up again, by extending you hip in
Swing as you can. a powerful move. Dont use your
shoulders

Jumps Squat Jump as high as you can (set off with your
heel) and slam the ball as powerful as you
with Medicine 3 sets of 6-10 can on the way down. Slam to early and
Ball Side Slam loose your balance

One Arm Make sure you keep your hip up and

3 sets of 8-10
Chest Press on dont rotate. Use your entire body to
reps withstand the rotation.
Swizz Ball

Get your hips all the up to your hands.

3 sets of 6-10 Dont straighten your arms all the way.
Half Pass This will make it too hard. Same thing on
reps
the water. Just bend your arms a little bit.

Start off by lying on the floor with the bar

in your hands and arms straight. Lift your
Floor Wiper 3 sets of 6-10
legs 1 inch. From here get your feet to
Pull Over reps meet the end of the bar. Raise your hip
off the floor

Sit on your knees and keep your hip

3 sets as many totally straight. Really tighten your abs
Roll out and your glute to avoid back pain. Do roll
as you can
out with, 2 dumbbells, a bar, a roller etc.

Straighten your entire body and hold the

disc in front of you. Roll around as fast as
3 sets of 10
Roll Around you can. Just one or two times and then
reps, fast roll to the other side. Initiate by looking
over your shoulder.

Pass the bar, just before it feels

3 sets as many
Cable Pass weightless. This is all about power and
as you can timing. Just like a pass on the water.

Be aware that the illustration shows the basic exercise. The description will tell you how a kiteboarder should do it.

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3.6. Wave Riding Kiteboarding Training Program
This is a more advanced training program for waveriders. This will make you do those clean vertical
cutbacks with full power. Power is the key. Explosive force in all exercises will strengthen your core and
optimize your muscle chains and nervous system for those powerful cut backs.

Exercise Illustration Data Description

Walking 3 sets of 8-10 Keep your weight on your heels at all
times. Twist to the same side, as your
Lunges with reps on each front leg and hold the weight with your
Twist leg arms stretched.

3 sets as many Through the KB between your legs, and

Kettle Bell shoot it up again, by extending you hip in
as you can full a powerful move. Dont use your
Swing
power. shoulders

Stand with a straight back sideways to

3 sets of 8-10 the cable. Bend your knees as if, youre
Standing
reps on each on a kiteboard. Pull the handle to your
Sideways Row torso and try to press the shoulder blades
side
together.

One Arm Make sure you keep your hip up and

3 sets of 8-10
Chest Press on dont rotate. Use your entire body to
reps withstand the rotation.
Swizz Ball

Use a medicine ball to focus more on a

stable shoulder. Use a small bench for
Step Over 3 sets of 8-10
power, and push full power - meaning;
Push Up reps get airtime when using a bench. Also
gives focus on cut back power

Stand sideways to the cable and put your

backhand on top. Keep your back
3 sets of 8-10 straight and tighten your core.
Woodchop
reps
For kitesurfing its best to pull down to
your hip with explosive movements

3 sets as many Hang with arms bend at 90 degrees and

Hanging
as you can full then through your legs as powerful as
Reverse Twist you can from side to side.
power

Be aware that the illustration shows the basic exercise. The description will tell you how a kiteboarder should do it.

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3.7. Kiteboarding Crossfit Training Program
This program is a (hard)core, full body crossfit program that has a minimum of equipment requirements.
This means that you can do this at home with a little creativity and build your own hardcore gym for a few
bucks. It has a great deal off cardio as well as explosive kiteboarding movements.

2 options of execution: 20sec on 10sec break x 4 of each exercise circuit,, or just follow the data.

The insane
ane hardcore version is doing 20-30sec
20 on 10sec break x 4 of each circuit.

Personal Trainer: Lars Jrgensen (aka. Larse)

Exercise Illustration Data Description

This is all about balance and power. Jump
Speedskating 4 sets of as far as you can from one leg to another
Jumps 8-12 reps while you through the weight in the same
direction. Use the weight to jump.

Keep your back and your hips straight and

bend only your knees, so that you pull the
Leg Curls with 4 sets of
ball up underneath you. Do it slowly. If
swizz ball 6-10 reps you can do more than 10 reps, do it on
one leg instead.

Keep the ring close to your body, when

4 sets of pulling yourself up with all the power you
Ring Roll Up can mobilize in an explosive move. Keep
6-10 reps
it close, when you start pushing also.

4 sets as many Through the KB between your legs, and

Kettle Bell shoot it up again, by extending you hip in
as you can with a powerful move. Dont use your
Swing
heavy load shoulders.. (You can use a dumbbell)

One Arm Make sure you keep your hip up and

4 sets of dont rotate. Use your entire body to
Chest Press on withstand the rotation. You can do this
6-10 reps
Swizz Ball on a bench, if you cant get a ball.

Gym ball Place you shoulder blades on the ball and

4 sets of then just pull your knees to your elbows.
reverse For more resistance just place the ball
6-10 reps
crunch further towards your neck.
neck Lock your hip!

4 sets of 8-10 Keep your weight on your heels at all

Compass times. Then do a lunge forward (N),
reps on each 45degrees (NE and NV) and 90 degrees
Lunges
leg (E-V). You can also add south, backwards.

Start off by lying on the floor with the bar

in your hands and arms straight. Lift your
Floor Wiper 4 sets of
legs 1 inch. From here get your feet to
Pull Over 6-10 reps meet the end of the bar. Raise your hip
off the floor

Check out detailed information on how to do the exercises on KBX.

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3.8. Kiteboarding Outdoor Program
This program is a (hard)core, full body crossfit program designed for execution in parks and playgrounds
etc. It doesnt need any equipment besides from what you can find on those locations.
locations It has a great deal of
cardio as well as explosive kiteboarding movements.
m

2 options of execution: 20sec on 20sec

20 break x 4 of each exercise circuit,, or just follow the data.

The insane hardcore

re version is doing 30sec on 20sec break x 4 of each circuit.

Personal Trainer: Lars Jrgensen (aka. Larse)

Exercise Illustration Data Description

Find a large rock or a bench.
Jump as explosively as you can
on to the object. Start with your
4 sets until
3D box jump side to the box and twist 90
exhaustion degrees in the air to face the
box. Focus on jumping though
your heels.
Do push up as explosively as you
Step Over can. Its good to get some
4 sets until airtime. Remember to really
Push Up on tighten your glutes and your abs.
exhaustion
Bench Do a pelvic flexion.
flexi Use a rock or
a bench.
Remember to tighten your core
in this one. Straighten one leg
One Leg Hip 4 sets until
and lift up your hip as far as
Raises exhaustion possible. Switch leg in the next
set.
Lay on the ground with arms
Army over your head. Get up and jump
4 sets until up in the air with hands over
Reaction your head. Lay on your back and
exhaustion
Exercise then jump up again. Continue as
fast as you can.

This is a basic pushup with your

Incline 4 sets until
feet up. The higher your feet
pushup exhaustion are, the harder it gets.

Try to tighten your glutes and

Reverse Jack abs, when your legs are
4 sets until
Knife on extended to avoid back pain.
exhaustion Then just pull your knees to your
Swing
chest. Use a swing
Find a bench or a swing, where
you can pull yourself up, when
4 sets until laying beneath it. Focus on
Vertical Row pulling your shoulder blades
exhaustion
together, when you do your
shoulder extension.

Sit on your knees and keep your

hip totally straight. Really
Roll Out on 4 sets until
tighten your abs and your glute
Swing exhaustion to avoid back pain. Do roll out
with a swing.

Check out detailed information on how to do the exercises on KBX.

14
3.9. KiteboardingExercises.com Workout Schedule
With this schedule you can get a better overview of your training and your progression. Write everything
down from your workouts. Weight in exercises, reps, sets and dates. This is the only way, you can follow
your progression and take actions
tions if you hit a plateau. Write down name and setting of the exercise in the
first field and write down dates, sets, reps, weight in the Workout field.

Exercise -settings Workout Workout Workout Workout Workout Workout Workout

Find more exercises at www.KiteboardingExercises.com Power 2 Progress

15
4. Recovery and Timing of sessions (gym and kite)

"How long should I wait before doing a new training session?"

I've been asked this question about a 1000 times and probably gave at least 500 different answers on it.
Because it depends on who you are, you training history, your injury history, what shape you in and what
kind of training you're doing now. And for kiteboarders it also depends on how powered you're riding and
the type of tricks you're doing. So just by these parameters you have 5.040 different ways of prioritizing
and when trying to include sub-paramters like variations in exercises etc., I would guess there is over a
billion combos/answers. So you see; no easy answer there ;)

Resting is just as important as training. And

this is (in my opinion) often the reason why
some of the pros get hurt. Of course every
one can have bad luck, but tired muscles,
tired ligaments, tired bones just break easier.
From what I heard about Kevin Langerees
knee injury and how it happened, I would say
it was caused by not enough rest. In all other
sports at that level, with that high intensity in
training load, it is crucial to have longer
resting periods. Every 5-6 weeks athletes should at least have 5-6 days of rest, a "recovery cycle". And
athletes often feel that they grow more in strength during this resting period than during the in the high
intensity cycles. That just tells you how important resting is...

4.1. Supercompensation

Supercompensation is basically what we mean, when we say "recovery". Because it's not just about
recovering - it's about getting stronger. Supercompensation is the state, where your body has recovered
and gotten stronger. The graph below tells the story...

When you start your workout or a

session on water, that equals
"stimulus". This load will break down
the muscles, ligaments and bones.
And at the end of a session the body
will start to repair these damages;
recover. After the recovery process
the body will compensate for the
earlier damages and become
stronger. This is what training is all
about...

16
If you get fatigued (training too much over longer period of time or just one day where you really burn
yourself out) you end up getting nowhere and you can even end up hurting yourself. A small amount of
training gives you a little supercompensation and the "perfect" amount gives you a great
supercompensation. But only if you time/plan the next training right, you should begin your next session at
the point of B. On the water or off the water. Doesn't matter what kind of training it is.

If you do some kind of training 2-3 days in a row, your body will handle that as one training session if it is
not too intensive. So it's possible to do that, if you rest for a longer period afterwards. You will stretch out
the curve, if you do that.

The next graph shows you 3 different scenarios. (time line has been blacked out, because it varies from
intensity etc)

a. This is a person who

does physical activity too
often. He starts training
or is hitting the water for
a kiteboard session,
before he is totally
recovered and misses out
on the
supercompensation and
his shape is actually
decreasing. And that will
lead to injuries or even
severe fatigue/over
training (stress like state
with great risk of
depression, injuries and
stuff like that)

b. This is the perfect

scenario, where the
athletes/kiteboarders
grows in strength all the time. But then again muscles, ligaments and bones do not recover at the same
paste. So even though you feel, you have a great rhythm in your training and you're getting stronger, you
still have to have "resting cycles" every 5-6 weeks in order to fully recover! Otherwise you'll have a much
higher risk at getting injured. And this is (in my opinion) where many pros are risking their career and
health due to these kind of fatigue injuries. A blown out knee is very typical for this.

c. This is status quo. This is probably where most kiteboarders are at for several reasons:
1. They are not training or hitting the water often enough to get the benefit of the supercompansation
2. They are doing the same workout routine in the gym or the same thing on the water all the time. The
body has a tendency to "get used" to repeated patterns/stimulus and then it doesn't have any real effect

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anymore. That is why we do variations in training. This keeps us from hitting "the plateau", where nothing
really happens even though, we do everything
everything else correct. This is also the reason why just kiteboarding a
lot is not the answer, if you want be the best that you can be.

And a,b,c and are actually the whole reason why I build this site. In an un-organized
un organized sport like kiteboarding,
compared d to almost any other sport, athletes are still left to themselves to plan their training. And that
would be an outrage in other sports, but kiteboarders doesn't really recognize to great potential in planning
training the right way both for avoiding injuries,
injuries, but also very much for progressing their physical shape and
thereby their performance on the water.

4.2. Timing is everything

On this graph you can see estimated time

periods for different kind of training regarding
supercompensation. I would estimatedimated
kiteboarding to be somewhere between
"Intensive Aerobic Work" and "Strength Training
/ Competition". If you're riding powered and
throwing unhooked tricks, you are placed in the
far right side of the scale. And if you're goofing
around or doing less powered hooked tricks
you're placed in the left side of the scale.

And as I stated before, it is very important to

keep this in mind. You can go kiteboarding 3
days in a row, but then you should also rest for a
couple of days afterwards. And remember; on
the 3rd day of kiteboarding, your body will be
broken down and you can't expect the same
power in your movements and you'll have a
higher risk of injuries. Even though your body feels healthy and youre full of energy, it doesnt necessarily
mean, that your ur body is recovered and up for a hardcore session.

4.3. General physical shape matters

The graph to the right is relative. This means that is most correct for kiteboarders in a pretty good shape.
But if you're younger and have build up a great physical shape during several years (like a typical pro
athlete), the load on the body isn't the same. The body of a kiteboarder/athlete in great shape will not get
the same stimulus/stress on the muscles by a hardcore freestyle session. They might be ready again aftera
30 hours. But believe me; no one can give a 100% everyday. This will lead to injuries, over training, fatigue,
depression and stress. So no one can skip out on "resting cycles". Actually they become more and more
important thee more you're training/kiteboarding.
training/kit

Remember; recovery slows down with age

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5. Kiteboarding Stretching Program
This is a stretching program specifically for kiteboarders that will lower your risk of injury and it will make
your more flexible for doing grabs and other stuff. With other words; it will make your moves more stylish!

Exercise Illustration Description

By adding the twist over your front leg, you
Hip Flexor also include Ilio, which is often considered as
stretch with one muscle. Iliopsoas. Another key element in
twist this exercise is to tip your pelvic forward like
the photo below.

Remember to bend your front leg a little bit.

This will keep you from stretching your calfs
Hamstrings (Gastrocnemius) and concentrate the stretch
Stretch on your hamstrings. Its also important to
remember to arch your back by looking up
and shooting out your chest
Push your heel down to maximize the stretch.
The more you bend your knees, the more you
will concentrate the stretch on Soleus (the
Calf Stretch
deepest calf muscle) and the more you
straighten your leg, the more it will hit
Gastrocnemius

Keep your feet at shoulder width or more. Get

Adductor all the way down and use your arms to push
Stretch out against your thighs.

Its very important to arch your back

(straighten it) to get a good stretch in this one.
Glute Stretch Its also very important to pull the knee
against you and twist as far as you can as you
look over your shoulder

Start by keeping your shoulders down and

elbows in the center of your body. Think
Posterior about squeezing your elbows and hands
Shoulder together equally. If you cant feel it, you
Stretch should pull the shoulder backwards without
raising your shoulders.

Gently place hand behind back. Keeping

shoulder in line with your body gently bring
External
elbow forward. Do not let your shoulder
Rotator
come forward with your elbow. For a little
Muscles
added stretch you can gently pull your elbow
forward.
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 Internal Keep your elbow in. Gently push your hand
Rotator forward while keeping your shoulder and
Muscles elbow in place.

Anterior Bend your arms a little bit to avoid stretching

Shoulder your biceps. Keep the hand above shoulder
Stretch level.

Remember to open up your chest and try to

Chest Stretch push your shoulders back.

Remember to pull your chin towards your

Neck Stretch
chest.

Neck Stretch - Remember to pull your chin towards your

Sideways chest.

Find more exercises at www.KiteboardingExercises.com Power 2 Progress

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5.1. Stretching Techniques

When youre doing stretches, its very important that you pay notice to the details. Otherwise you wont
get the full benefit. So here is a couple of pointers:

5.1.1. Hip flexor (Ilio-Psoas)

This is a basic hip flexor stretch with a twist. A normal hip flexor
stretch is only stretching half psoas muscle, but thats only half of
what you really want to stretch. By adding the twist over your front
leg, you also include the whole Iliopsoas, which is often considered
as one muscle. Another key element in this exercise is to tip your
lower pelvic (Pubic Symphysis) forward like the photo below.
People very often dont do this and wont get anything out of the
stretch.

5.1.2. Glute Stretch (Gluteus)

Its very important to arch your back (straighten it) to get

a good stretch in this one. Look at the picture below. Its
also very important to pull the knee against you and twist
as far as you can as you look over your shoulder.

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5.1.3. Neck stretches

One very important thing (that no one does!!), when stretching your
neck, is to make a double chin by pulling in your chin towards your
chest. This will stretch the deeper muscles in your neck (the ones that
give you a headache). Stretching the neck is probably more for
beginners, because they can get tension in the neck by looking at the
kite all the time, when trying to get out of the water. But many people
suffer from headaches caused by neck tension, which these stretches
will handle as well.

Remember to pull your chin towards your chest like this:

And if you can do it like this, when you're 90 years old, you've been doing it right ;o)

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6. Nutrition Guide
Kiteboarding is a demanding sport and what you eat will determent how you perform as a kiteboarder.
Nutrition is the fuel that keeps the engine burning, and if you don't eat right, your performance will be
weaker.

This is not an article about healthy food. If you're looking to loose some weight,
you should seek help by a fitness professional. He'll tell you to eat more
vegetables and stop eating junk food and hopefully how. This article is about
fast recovery after a session and how to get the energy for the next session. And
actually also a little bit about preventing injury and diseases, but focus is on
getting you to perform.

6.1. Energy for the next session or during a session

Carbohydrates is fuel for the muscles, and if you're on the water for more than 2
hours, you'll need to fuel up to be able to keep performing your best. Fruit is the
healthiest way to get carbs. A good alternative is a sandwich with lots of vegetables
and meat. It will give you the carbs and proteins you need to fuel your muscles and
start recovery. If you don't have time to eat during your session, or if you get stomach
aches by eating and doing physical activities at the same time, you can also drink
something that contains carbs and protein. Yogurt drinks or protein shakes contains carbs and protein.
Juice contains only carbs, but that's also better than nothing. And freshly pressed juice is also healthy.

Your muscles has a natural amount of carbohydrates stored (glycogen), but not enough to kiteboard for
more than 2-3 hours. So after 2-3 hours (more or less depending on your intensity) you need to re-fuel by
eating or drinking some kind of carbs. Remember, it has to be easy to digest to avoid a stomach ache.
Thats one more reason why fruit is the best choice. Besides from all the healthy ingredients of course.

Good foods to fuel up Good liquids to fuel up (recover)

Fruit
Bread, sandwich (preferably wholegrain)
Rice, pasta (preferably wholegrain)
Bulgur, chickpeas etc.
Yogurt drinks (protein and carbs)
Protein shakes (protein and carbs)
Chokolate milk (protein and carbs)
Juice (freshly pressed is also healthy)
Energy/sport drinks

You should take in 1,0-1,2 grams carbohydrates per kilogram body weight in small doses within the first 4
hours after your session. For me (Im about 78kg) thats about 4-6 fruits in the first 4 hours. In general you
should consume 7-12 grams of carbs per kilogram body weight per day. Expect about 24-48 hours for a
total re-fuel. After exhaustion from extreme sessions or workouts (more than 4-6 hours) it can take more
than 48 hours to fill up your glycogen storage. If you eat like describes above, you can re-fuel in 24 hours.

It's a good idea to consume protein as well, because you need them to recover after your session or your
workout. But for re-fueling carbs are the important nutrient.

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6.2. Recovery from a session (or a workout)
To get the fastest recovery after a session, you'll need to eat the right nutrients
at the right time. Protein will help your muscles to recovery and carbohydrates
will help your fuel deposit to get loaded again. Both protein and carbs are
really important for a quick recovery.

Good foods to recover Good liquids to recover

Fruit (only carbs and micro nutrients)
Bread, sandwich with meat and vegetables
(preferably wholegrain bread)
Rice, pasta with meat and vegetables (preferably
wholegrain rice/pasta)
Bulgur, chickpeas etc. with meat and vegetables
Yogurt drinks (protein and carbs)
Protein shakes (protein and carbs)
Chokolate milk (protein and carbs)
Juice (only carbs, freshly pressed is also healthy)
Energy/sport drinks (only carbs)

You can actually increase your recovery by 12%, if you consume protein and carbs within the first 30-60
minutes after a session (workout). The faster you do it, the better results you'll get.

6.3. Energy intake in general

This is the hard part of working with nutrition. It's important for a kitboarder to be light. So your energy
intake should not exceed your daily energy use. But if you do not eat enough, you wont recovery as fast as
possible and that would hold back your performance in the end. If you eat too much, you'll gain weight. So
for eating a 100% right, you need a very detailed diet plan, which is very hard to follow and takes quit a
long time to make. But most riders use about 300-800kcal pr. hour on the water. This depends on the
intensity of your riding, your style of riding (waves and unhooked use more energy), and of course of
gender and size.

So this is you golden rule; eat as much as you can, without gaining too much weight. If you are kitesurfing a
lot, you should be building up some muscles, so don't get scared if you put on a little weight. But you
shouldn't gain body fat! And you shouldn't gain more than maybe 0,10-0,25kg or 0,5-1,0 pound per month.
These numbers a for a male with a body weight of 75kg or 160 pounds. If you have any questions feel free
to write me. Look under contact in the menu on the KBX website, if you want to ask me about this.

6.4. Well balanced diet for kiteboarders

If you're kiteboarding a couple of times per week, you can benefit from a good and
balanced diet. Make sure you prioritize good carbs like fruit and vegetables and get lots
of protein. Eat a lot of wholegrain pasta, rice and bread, together with low fat meat
(chicken etc), fruit and vegetables and use olive oil or other kind of vegetable oils as
sources of fat.

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7. Contact, Facebook, Youtube, Twitter
Feel free to contact me about anything regarding injuries, training and kiteboarding. If I dont have the
answer, I might know someone who does. Preferely use the forum on www.KiteboardingExercises.com, so
others might benefit from it as well. Otherwise find me here:

E-mail: info@kiteboardingexercises.com

Find KBX on Facebook - www.facebook.com/LarsKBX

Find KBX on Youtube - www.youtube.com/user/KiteboardingExercise

Find KBX on Twitter - twitter.com/KiteExercises

Find KBX on Google+ - plus.google.com/u/0/communities/105324285987905993760

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